Apparatus for successively displaying cards or the like



Sept. 12, 1950 2,522,226

R. w. Hoop APRARATUS FOR SUCCESSIVELY DISPLAYING CARDS OR THE LIKE Filed Dec. '1, 1945 11 Sheets-Sheet 1 I INVENTOR.

Sept. 12, 1950 R. w. HOOD 2,522,226

APRARATUS FOR SUCCESSIVELY DISPLAYIN CARDS OR THE LIKE Filed Dec. 7, 1945 I1 Sheets-Sheet 2 Sept. 12, 1950 R. w. HOOD APPARATUS FOR SUCCESSIVELY DISPLAYING CARDS OR THE LIKE 7 Filed Dec. 7, 1945 11 Sheets-Sheet 3 Sept. 12, 1950v Filed Dec; '1, 1945 R. w. HOOD APBARATUS FOR SUCCESSIVELY DISPLAYING CARDS OR THE LIKE 11 Sheeps-Sheetfi 0 3W? Fla 4/ 00 $20 ZWY 6 215 fi/foryg,

Sept. 12, 1950 R. w. HOOD 2,522,226

. APBARATUS FOR..SUCCESSIVELY DISPLAYIN v CARDS OR THE LIKE Filed Dec. 7, 1945 v I1 Sheets-Sheet 6 [mum Hill j v INVENTOR.

Z Pz'chd/d #57000 Sept. 12, 1950 R. w. HOOD 2,522,226

mmwus FOR SUCCESSIVELY nxs mmc. ems OR THE LIKE Filed Dec. 7, 1945 11 Sheets-Sheet 7 y'gwaqf Sept. 12, 1950 R. w. HOOD A 2,522,226

' APPARATUS FOR SUGCESSIVELY DISPLAYING CARDS OR THE LIKE Filed Dec. 7, 1945 ll Sheets-Sheet 9 I I |THE QUESTIONS: l APPEAR HERE vum W e 35 68 67 S C u 6 /0 Z 5?? 752 o 55 Q Q 76 66 3o 1 7 e o. a 7 222%? ms Q) "0 ixmefisuin 4. mm a l 27 THE QUESTIONS 1 t; ,5; APPEAR HERE I 5 55?;

I INVENTOR. 5,, f/cbar/ n #oad 47' BY %w Fm pt. 1 1950 R. w. Hooo 2,522,226

APPARATUS FOR SUCCESSIVELY DISPLAYING cums on THE LIKE 11 Sheets-Sheet 10 Filed Dec. 7, 1945 2,522,226 DISPLAYING Sept. 12, 1950 R. w. HOOD APPARATUS FOR SUCCESSIVELY CARDS OR .THE LIKE 11 Sheets-Sheath Filed Dec. 7, 1945 mnaoc rr & 20': b. 0 33-0:

IN VEN TOR.

Patented Sept. 12, 1950 APPARATUS FOR sUooEssIvELY DISPLAY; mo CARDS on THE LIKE Richard W. Hood, Chicago, 111. Application December '7, 1945, Serial No. 633,287

13 Claims.

This invention'relates to an apparatus for successively displaying cards or the like.

More particularly the invention relates to an apparatus of the character hereinafter described, for presenting a card or the like to a Viewing opening and, at a predetermined time, to remove the card thus presented, all by means of a stack of cards arranged in a card storage compartment and delivered successively therefrom to the viewing opening, from whence the card is moved to a discharge or exit opening for passage'through a return chute, for movementfrom the bottom of the return chute to the bottom of the stack of cards, thus accomplishing one of the important objects of this invention; namely, that of providing a continuous and uninterrupted circuit for the movement of the cardsfrom the'top of the stack to the bottom thereof.

I-l'eretofore in apparatusesfor displaying cards,

a stack. of cards is generally arranged in a compartment and moved by'means of a follower in a direction where the cards are successively moved from the top of the stack to a viewing or si ht opening from whence the cards are dropped into'a storage compartment where they remain it.

ment becomes exhausted, the appa ratus'will be rendered inoperative and consequently remain idle until such time as the service-man removes the stacked cards from the return storage compartment to the delivery compartment. This has been a serious objection to apparatuses of the type with which this invention is concerned and one in which the cards are moved to viewing position from the top of a stack to the exit of a return storage compartment. It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an arrangement whereby the cards will have continuous and uninterrupted movement from and to the viewing opening without the necessity of rendering the machine inoperative for the purpose of restacking or replenishing the delivery storage compartment.

Another and equally important object of the inventio is the provision of a simple and efiicient means for delivering the cards successively from viewing position to the bottom of the stack of cards in the delivery compartment. I

Another object and equally important feature of theinvention is the simple and efficient means 2 for stacking the returned cards beneath the stack of cards in the delivery storage compartment. Yet another object of the invention resides in the provision of a simple arrangement for successively taking the cards from the top of the stack in the delivery storage compartment and movingthe same successively to a viewing opening.

Another objectof the invention is the pro- Fig. 3' is a perspective view of the card stacking mechanism embodied in my invention, taken from the left-hand of Fig. 2;

Fig. 415' a rear elevational view of the card stacking mechanism;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view of the lower part of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary side elevational View taken in the direction of the arrow as indicated in Fig. 2; l

Fig. 7 is a side elevational view opposite to that shown in Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 is a sectional detail view taken substantially on line 88 of Fig. '7;

Fig. 9 is a plan View of the card stacker as shown in Figs. 2 to 4 inclusive;

Fig. 1015 a plan View similar to Fig. 9 but showing the parts in different positions with respect to each other;

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary sectional detail view Fig; 15 is'a sectional detail view of the same taken-substantially on line lfi-lti of Fig. 14.;

Fig. 16 is a sectional detail view taken sub. stantially on line iti E of Fig.

Preferably, though not necessarily, the invent tion may be associated with an apparatus of the type illustrated in Fig. 1, wherein theapparatus.

comprises a cabinet 20 having a top wall 2|. In this top wall 2i there is an opening 22 normally closed by an opaque glass panel 23. The apparatus illustrated in Fig. 1 provides an operating button 24 which is utilized for setting the apparatus into motion, but as this operating button 24 and its associated parts embody no part of the present invention, the construction and operation thereof will not be shown and described. A score panel is indicated at 25, and

this panel 25 includes a plurality of selection buttons 26 designed and intended to be operated by the operator in determining the number of the answer which he has selected as the proper answer to the question presented. Like the operating button 24, this selection button 26 constitutes no part of the present invention and therefore their construction and operation will not be shown or described. For further information as to the use of these selection buttons and the score panel, reference may be had to Patent No. 2,274,811, dated March 3, 1942, granted on an Amusement Apparatus.

The primary object of this invention is to present to a viewing or sight opening a card from the top of a stack of cards contained in a delivery storage compartment, and then return this card to the bottom of the stack in the storage compartment without interrupting the operation of apparatus, and to a description of such operation this description will now be confined.

In the apparatus shown in Fig. l, the glass panel 23 provides a viewing opening 21 to which a card, such as is presented. This card and each of the successive cards presented to the viewing opening 27 by mechanism more fully hereinafter described, have printed thereon a series of questions 29, each numbered as shown, and relating to a symbol or other indicia 3!] appearing thereon. On the upper right-hand corner of the card is the abbreviatied word Ans. and adjacent thereto is a number corresponding to the correct answer to one of the questions presented by the card. When the card 50 is beneath the viewing opening 21, the word Ans. and the number will be concealed. The mechanism hereinafter described, which presents the card to the viewing opening 2?, will at a predetermined time move the card from the opening 21 to a second viewing opening 3|, through which opening the entire card, including the answer, will-be viewed. From this opening 3| the card is moved to a return throat 32 of a return chute hereinafter referred to. i

The mechanism for presenting the cards successively from a stack to these viewing openings 21 and 3| and thence to the return throat 32, includes a mounting board 33 (Figs. 9 and This mounting board 33 is adapted to be supported as at 34 in any suitable manner within the cabinet beneath the panel 23, Fig. 4.

On this mounting board 33 is a circular plate 35 supported in spaced relation with respect to the top surface 36 of the mounting board 33 by suitable spacer blocks 31. This plate 35 is provided with an opening 38 through which projects a bearing 39 formed as an integral part of a flange 4i attached to a hub structure 43 as at 42 (Fig. 13). Formed as an integral part of this flange M is a bearing 20', and jo-urnalled in this bearin 2|! and projecting through the bearing 39 is a stud shaft 2!. This stud shaft 2| is pinned to bearing 20' for rotation therewith.

This stud shaft 2! has operative connection through the medium of a suitable clutch structure T (Fig. 14) with the upper end portion 40 of a drive shaft I09 hereinafter more fully set forth. This clutch structure T may be of any approved construction, such as will permit an intermittent rotation of the stud shaft 2i to intermittently move the feeder blades 44, 45, 46 and 41 over the surface of the plate 35 for reasons hereinafter set forth. This clutch structure T will be more fully hereinafter set forth.

In the plate 35 there is formed an opening 48 communicating with the upper end portion of a stacking compartment 78, in which compartvment there is arranged, under compression, a

stack of cards, the uppermost of which being indicated at 58 (Fig. 13). As shown in Fig. 13, the blade 47 engages an edge 5| of the card 50. Upon rotation of the hub structure 43, this blade 1'? will move the card 50 to the position indicated in dotted lines at 52 beneath the viewing opening, thus presentin a series of questions to the viewer. At a predetermined time, this blade 41, now having moved to the position of blade 44, will moveto the position of the blade 65, and thus move the card 50 beneath the viewing opening 3|, in the position shown at 53, at which time the abbreviated word Ans. in the upper right-hand corner of the card, will be presented through the opening 3! to the view of the operator. At a predetermined time, the blade 41 will move the card to the position of the blade 46, in a position whereby the card, now indicated at 50', upon the next movement of the hub structure 43, will drop through the throat 32 for return to the bottom of the stack of cards in the delivery compartment 46, in a manner hereinafter more fully set forth.

Disposed upon the circular plate 35 is a top p1ate'54 similar in shape to that of the plate 35 and having formed therein a viewing opening 55 which registers with the viewing opening 21, and a viewing opening 56 which registers with the viewing opening 3|.

It is desirable to provide a shutter for concealing the next card to be moved to the viewing opening 21 while the card 59 displays the answer, so that the operator cannot be reading the questions of the succeeding card while reading the answer displayed through the answer-viewing opening 3 I. This mechanism, in the present instance, includes a bar 5! movable transversely of the circular plate 54 and having a slot and pin connection 58 therewith to be properly guided in a longitudinal movement beneath a strap plate 59. In this bar 51 is a notch 60 adapted to be engaged by a latch head 6| of a solenoid bar 62' of a magnetic coil 63 and normally projected outwardly into engagement with the notch 60 by a spring 64. This coil 63 is connected in circuit with a suitable timing mechanism 40', Fig. 2, (embodying no part of the present invention) which causes the coil at a predetermined time to be energized so as to withdraw the latch head 6| from the notch 60 to permit the bar 51 to be moved in the direction of its length under the action of a spring 65 connected at one end 66 to the plate 54 and at the opposite end 61 to a link 68 having slot and pin connection 69 with the end it of the bar 51. A strap H sup ports for longitudinal movement a link 12 having its end connected as at 13 to the link 68.

On the bar 51 is a shield plate 74 which moves with the bar 5? from and to closing position with respect to the viewing opening 55. Secured to the bearing 20 as at T5 is a hub 16', and

extending radially from this hub 76 are fingers plate I 31 is supported relation with re members I4I project through a pressure plate I42, and encircling these pins I41 and disposed between the plate I 40 and plate I42 are compression springs I43.

Fixed to the plate142 is a bearing I44, and I threaded through this bearing I44 is the end portion I45 of a screw shaft I46. The lower end portion of this screw shaft I46 rotates in a suitable bearing I41 secured to a base plate I48 .in turn connected to the lower end portions I49 of the corner bars 19.

Secured to adjacent pairs of these corner bars 19 as at I50 is a plate II. This plate I5I carries a bearing I52 in which a shaft I53 rotates. One end of this shaft I53 carries an operating handle I54. The opposite end of this shaft carries a bevel gear I55 which meshes with a bevel gear I56 secured'to the screw shaft I46 in any suitable manner.

The arrangement is such that by rotating the handle I54, the screw shaft I46, if rotated in a clockwise direction, will move the plate I42 upwardly against the springs I43, and as these springs I43 are compressed they will exert upward movement to plate I 40, and this upward connection as at I69 with the adjacent corner 1 bars 19 providing the stacking compartment 18,

thereby to allow, if required, any vertical move ment of the supporting structure I65. The supporting structure I65 is adapted to pivot on the slot and pin connections I69, to the position shown in full lines in Fig. 12, which position is from card-supporting position, the card being indicated at 50 This pivotal movement of the sup- I porting structure is limited by a limiting pin I carried by an adjacent corner bar 19. The crossbar I56 carries spaced plates I1 I, and these plates III are provided with horizontal lips I12 which v are adapted to engage beneath thecard 50. Each of the crossbars carries an arm I13, and these arms I13 are adapted to be engaged at a pre determined time by pins I14, carried by the cams I51. The arrangement is such that as thecams I51 rotate, the pins I14 will bear against the arms v ,card supporting position, the plate I31 is in card'- "supporting position. I

In other words, the mechanism is timed to.

operate as follows: A

When the follower. I I1 functions to move a card along the receiving trough 81 to a position bemovement ofthe plate I in turn will move the plate I31 against the bottom of the stack of cards, thereby maintaining the cards in stacked, com pressed condition within the stacking compartment. This movement of the plates I40 and I38 by theacticn of the springs I43 is controlled by cams I51 arranged in pair on opposite corresponding sides of the stacking compartment and engaging the extensions I39 as shown in Fig. =8.v

One'pair of the cams I51 is fixed to the shaft I02 and rotatable therewith, while the other pair of the cams I51 is fixed for rotation with a shaft I58. This shaft I58 has its end portion I59 journalled in a suitable bearing I60, while the other end of the shaft I58 projects through a bearing NH and carries at its end portion I62 a gear I63 which operatively meshe with the gear I05.

The arrangement is such that upon rotation oih.

the cams, when such cams are rotated torbring their high points (such as indicated at I64) away from the extensions I39, the plate I40 will be permitted to move upwardly under the action of the springs I43 and consequently bear the stacking plate I31 against the bottom of the stack of cards in the stacking compartment 18. However,

when moving a card along the receiving trough to i ment 18, out of movement of the incoming card. At the same time it is necessary that the stack;

of cards within the stacking compartment 18 be supported against dropping down so as to obstruct the movement of the incoming card. This is accomplished by a mechanism illustrated in Fig. 12,

which W111 now b e described- On each corresponding side of the structure providing thestaclring compartment 18, there is arranged a U-shaped structure I65 comprising a I crossbar I56 and opposite parallel arms I61 and I 68.""These"arn'is "I 61 and I fi8have slot andpi'n neath the stack of cards in the stacking compartment 10, the plate I31 will move downwardly out of the way of the moving card from the trough 01, and simultaneously with this movement the pins I14, by the action of the cams I51, will be rotated to permit the supporting structures I55 to pivot toward each other to dispose the lips I12 beneath the stack of cards and thus hold the stack of cards in the stacking compartment .18 until the follower II1 has positioned the incoming card beneath the stack of cards upon the plate I31, at which time the plate I31 is moved upwardly by the compression springs I43 and v the supporting structures pivoted by the action of the pins I14 to the position shown in Fig. 12,.

where the lips I12 will be disposed from supporting position with respect to the stack of cards. Thus, it will be seen that the incoming card is moved by the follower H1 beneath the stack, without the stack of cards or other mechanism interfering with such movement.

To complete this structure, each of the supporting structures I65 in their pivotal movement to full line position as shown in Fig. 12, is against the action of a coil spring I15. I

The plate 35 provides an annular guiding flange 44 which cooperates. with the blades of the hub structure .to move the cards within the area provided by this guiding flange 44.

gage the adjacent edge of the card and move "the card from position in this opening 48 to a position beneath the viewing opening 21. The card having been moved to the viewing opening 21, by mechanism (not shown) timed to operate, at this state of the opelation-ofthe apparatus,

will energize the coil 63 to withdraw the latch H from the notch 60, thus permitting the shield plate v'14 to move from obstructing position with respect to the opening 21, whereupon the operator may view-the card 50 and read the questions Y appearing'thereon' The motor I I4. which rotates the shaft 48, continues to operate, but due to the clutch structure 39 yhereinafter more .fully set forth, the rotation of the blades is momentarily stayed, giving the operator sufiicientztime to read the several questions. When the blades begin again to rotate,thecardis moved by theadjacent blade to a position beneath the viewing opening e1, which-opening 3i, by reason of its size with respect-to the card, exposes thetrailing edge portion thereof so as to display to the operatorthe answer, as indicated-at 49. In moving the :card :from beneath the viewing opening 1-21 to a position beneath the viewing opening -21 to a position beneath the viewing opening .31, a roller 16 would have engaged the foot 11 to effectlonaitudinal movement of the bar 51 toagain dispose the shield 14 in obstructing position "throughthe viewing-opening 21, whereby the questions on the next succeeding cardare concealed-from:theview :of the operator while he is reading th answer :of the moved card through the viewing opening Continued movement of the blades will move this card 50 to a position where it will :fall ;by :gravity into the throat 32 and thence descend through thereturn'chute 9 I 'I'o tilt the card in a proper direction as it descends down the throat, it will be noted "that the wall-32' of the throat tapers downwardly and away .from the upper portion ithereofso that the .88 :of the trough 81. To time this movement of the card from the time its leading edge strikes the bottom wall 88 to :the time ittakes its flat position upon such bottomwalLthe mechanism which pivotally-moves the plate 92 is so timed as to pivot the plate v92 from its'fulllineposition to ,a'dottedlinepositionas shown in Fig. "11. As

the plate 92 pivotsin an anti-clockwise direction, the card will be free to tilt and'thus reach a s'flat" position upon the bottom wall 88 of the receiving :trough 81, at a time when the follower II! has, by mechanism timed with the mechanism ior -pivotally moving thecardf92, moved'to thedotted 7 line position shown in Fig. 11, from whichposi .tion the follower moves inwardly to project the card beneath the bottom :of the stack "of cards .in the stacking compartment :18.

Just [prior to this movement of the card :by action of the-follower I:I1, "theplat'e 131 will be caused tomove downwardly in a manner hereinbefore stated, and the lips I 12 of the supporting structures I55 will be permitted to move be- :nea'th the-stack of cards, thereby tosupport-the stack ofcards in thestacking compartment un- :til the follower has moved the card 59 beneath the -stack, at which time, by-virtue of the timed relationship between the mechanisms herein- 'before described, the supporting structures will,

again pivotto the full line position shown, in Fig. 12 and the plate I31 moved beneath the stack of cards to support the stack of cards in a posi tion to present successively the uppermost card to indicate :to the operator the degree of compression to which the stack of cards has been subjected.

tendingirom one side of'this hub I88 is a'latch arm I84 disposed in the path of rotation of a I disc I85having formed in the periphery thereof :steps or shoulders I86 disposed from each other at an angleof 90 and adapted to be engaged :by the latch arm I84.

Extending from the hub 183 on thesideppposite to the latch arm 184, is a trip finger ;I-81. This trip finger I81 is adapted to engage a pin I88 carried by a flange I89 formedas an=integral part .of a bearing I90 and connected as at iI9I .to,a plate I92, which plate I92 is suspendedin ,spaced relation from the mounting board 33 :by means of suspension lugs-33'.

The stud shaft .2I projects through the bearing I99 into thehub I93 formed as-an integral part of the disc I-and is keyed to the hub l93 I .as at I94.

Thearrangement is such that upon rotation .Of the shaft I09, the sleeve 180 will rotate therewith, rotating the arm I8I in a direction :to bear the trip ,finger I81 against the pin I88 under Which condition, as the trip V-finger I81 rotatably I bfiarsagainstithe pin I88, it will 'be pivoted 'by this'Din-ina direction to dispose the latch arm I841njengagemcnt with the advancing shoulder I86 and thereby, upon engagement ,with the shoulder I86, couple the shaft 2.I for simultaneous rotation with the shaft I89 to rotate the ,jeederlfingersilhi to .41 inclusive through-an arc $21,909. As soon as the trip ,finger I81 ridesoff 1thepin I88, the latch .arm I84 will be 1se1f-disengagedufrom the contacting shoulder I86 by l-bearing action of the shoulder against the ta- .pcred end I86 of ,the ,arm I84 and the rotatable connection between the shaft I89and stud shaft 2I" will be discontinued and the feeder :fingers will remain idle until the trip finger is again rotated by rotationof-theshaft I09 to again-ena ethe pin I88, at which time the latch finger I84 will again engage the step or shoulder 486 (and impart rotationto-thereeder fingers or blades 14.4 'to .41 inclusive through an-arc-of It is to be understood that the several cams employed in the construction of :the foregoing apparatus aretobe timedsothatthemechanisms .controlled thereby will operate at the proper time and .withthe.highest'degree of;accuracy,;no

to the opening "21, where the cycle of operation just described, again takes place.

If desired, there may be provideda plate I16, :and on this ,plate there may be formed by en- ;graving, embossing, orlthelike, graduation lines I-11to cooperate with an indicator ,Ilhcarriedby the adjacent portion I39 of the plate I40, so as .alttempt being made hereto show the timing of .Suchcams, .as that may vary in many respects without departing from the spirit of the invention. A

.Itis intended, however, it-is not necessary, that .there be associated with the apparatus- 20 a scoring mechanism to indicate the length of time that. the :player or operator has taken to determine Ithe answer-and to award a score for his alertness and quickness in answering the questions presented. Such scoring mechanism has not been illustrated as it does not embody any .part of thepresent invention.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred form of construction for carrying m invention into effect, this is capable of variation rand modification without departing from the spirit of the invention. I, therefore, do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth, but desire to avail myself of such varia- Patent is:

i1. Anapparatus of the class described comprising .a member having a surface upOn which cards from a stack of cards are adapted to be for said cards. I

, 2. An apparatus of the class described comprismoved and including an inlet openingto which the cards are successivelyfed for movement over said surface and an outlet'opening through which the cards pass from said surface, and spaced sight openings through which the cards are successively viewed in their movement over said surface from the inlet-opening to the outlet opening,

means'for moving said cards over said surface 'from the inlet opening to the outlet-opening, 'means for' successively feeding cards from said stac'kto said inlet opening, means for receiving the cards from said outlet opening, and means for delivering the 'cardsirom said card receiving means to a position below said stack of cards,

: said card moving means including a guiding i' -fle'jnge provided by said member, a rotatable hub structure, and blade members extendingradial- 1y from said hub structure and operable within said guiding flange and having leading edge portions adapted to engage adjacent edge portions ing' a'member having a surface upon which cards from a stack of cards are adapted to be moved and including an inlet opening to which'the cards 'j are successively fed for movement over' said surface and an outlet opening through which the cards pass from'said surface, and spaced sight openings through which'the cards are "succes- '"sively viewed in their movement over said surface from the inlet opening to the outlet opening, means for moving said cards overs'aid surface from the inlet opening to the outlet opening, spring-compressed means for successively feeding cards from said stack to said inlet open- '-ing', means for receiving the cards from said outlet opening, means for delivering the cards from said card receiving means to a position be- --low-' said stack of cards, said card moving means including a guiding flange provided by said memher, a rotatable hub structure, and blade member's extending radially from said hub structure and operable within said guiding flange and having leading edge portions adapted to engage adjacent edge portions of said cards.

' 3. 'An apparatus of the class described comprising a member having a surface upon which cards from a stack of cards are adapted to be moved and including an inlet opening to which the cards are successively fed for movement over said surface and an outlet opening through which the cards pass from said surface, and spacedsight "openings through which the cards are succes- -sively viewed in their movement over said surface from the inlet opening to the outlet opening, means for moving said cards over said surface from the inlet opening to the outlet opening; means for successively feeding cards from said stack to said inlet opening, means for receiving the cards from said outlet opening, and means for delivering the cards from said card receiving means to a position below said stack of bands including a reciprocatory follower, said card moving means including a guiding flange provided by said member, a rotatable hub structure, and blade members extending radially from said hub structure and operable within said guiding flange and having leading edge portions adapted to engage adjacent edge portions of said cards.

4.'An apparatus of the class described comprising an enclosure adapted to contain a stack of cards, a card return chute, means for sue-- cessively moving cards from the top of said stack to the entrance of said return chute for gravitation down said return chute, means for receiving the cards from said return chute, means cooperating with said card receiving means for delivering cards received thereby beneath the bottom of the stack of cards in said enclosure, said last-named means including a reciprocatory follower, a first means for supporting the stack of cards in said enclosure, means for moving said first means from engagement with said stack of cards when said follower is operative to move a card beneath said stack of cards,

' a second means for supporting said stack of cards in said enclosure when said first means is moved from stack supporting position, means for operating said first means and said second means in timed relation with respect to each other whereby said first means will be moved :iromcard supporting position with respect to said stack of cards and said second means will be moved into card supporting positionv of cards, a card return chute, means for successively moving cards from the top of said stack to the entrance of-said return chute for gravitation down said return chute, means for-receiving the cards from said return chute, mea'ns'c'o- ,operating with said card receiving means for delivering cards received thereby beneath the ,bottom of the stack of cards in said enclosure, said last-named means including a reciprocatory ,follower, a first means for supporting the stack oficards in said enclosure, means for'moving said first means from engagement with said stack of cards when 'said follower is operative to move a card beneath said stack of cards, a second means for supporting said stack of cards'in' said enclosure when said first means is moved from stack supporting position, means for operating said first means and said second means in timed relation with respect to each other'whereby said first means will be moved from card supporting position with respect to said stack ofcards and said second means will be moved into card supporting position when said follower is moved to project the card received by said card receiving means beneath the stack of cards, andmeans for moving said follower in timed relation with respect to the operation of said first and second operating means, and means varying the .pressure of engagement between the said first means and the stack of cards.

6. In an apparatus of theclassdescribed, a chute through which a card is adapted to descend, an enclosure into which said card isadapted to be received from said chute, a member pivotally carried. by the enclosure and serving to-supr'x' rt isa-a6 the-cardin a tilting movement from a vertical of'cards, in combinationwith a structure providing a compartment for said stack'of cards.

'7. In can apparatus "of the; class described, a chute :through which acard is adapted to descend, an enclosure into which said card is adapted to be received from said chute, amember pivotally carried by the enclosure and serving to supportthe card in a tilting movement from a vertical position to a horizontal position, a

member for supporting said card in said horizontal position, means for moving said card from said enclosure to a position beneath a stack of cards, said means including a follower movable upon said card supporting member, and means for pivotally moving said pivotally carried member and said follower in timed relation with respect to each other to move said card beneath said stack of cards, in combination with a structure providing a compartment for said stack of cards.

8. In an apparatus of the class described, a chute through which a card is adapted to descend, an enclosure into which said card is adapted to be received from said chute, a member pivotally carried by the enclosure and serving to support the card in a tilting movement from a vertical position to a horizontal position, a member for supporting said card in said horizontal position, means for moving said card from said enclosure to a position beneath a stack of cards, said means including a follower movable upon said card supporting member, and means for pivotally moving said pivotally carried member and said follower in timed relation with respect to each other to move said card beneath said stack of cards, in combination with a structure providing a compartment for said stack of cards, and means for supporting the stack of cards in said compartment comprising separate mechanisms alternately operable to support said stack of cards in said enclosure when said card is moved from said enclosure by said follower to the bottom of said stack of cards, and means for operating said separate mechanisms in timed relation with respect to each other whereby one of said mechanisms will be moved from card supporting position while the other mechanism will be moved into card supporting position during the movement of the card from said enclosure by said follower to the bottom of the stack of cards in said compartment.

9. An apparatus of the class described comprising a structure providing a compartment within which a stack of cards is adapted to be confined, a trough adapted to receive a card to be moved into said compartment beneath the stack of cards therein, an inclined. chute for delivering to said trough a card in an inclined position with respect to a vertical plane, whereby said card by gravity will tilt to a horizontal position upon said trough, means for moving said card, in said horizontal position upon said trough, from said trough to the bottom of the stack of cards in said compartment, and means for successively moving cards from the top of said stack to a position for movement through said chute.

10. An apparatus of the class described comprising a structure providing a compartment within which a stack of cards is adapted to be confined, ,a trough adapted to receive a card to be moved into said compartment beneath the stack of .cardstherein, an inclined chute for delivering to said trougha card in an inclined position withrespect to a vertical plane, whereby said card by gravity will tilt to ahorizontal position upon-said trough, means for moving said card, in said horizontal position upon saidtrough, fromsaid trough to the bottom of the stackof cards in said compartment, and means forsuccessively moving cards from the top of said stack to a position for movement through said chute, said first-named means including a follower movable longitudinally of said trough, separate mechanisms for alternately supporting the cards in said compartment when said follower is operable to move the card from said trough to the bottom of said stack of cards, and means for operating said separate mechanisms in timed relation with respect to each other and with respect to said follower.

11. An apparatus of the class described comprising a member having a surface upon which. cards from a stack of cards are adapted to be moved and including an inlet opening to which the cards are successively fed for movement over said surface and an outlet opening through which th cards pass from said surface, and spaced sight openings through which the cards are successively viewed in their movement over said surface from the inlet opening to the outlet opening, means for moving said cards over said surface from the inlet opening to the outlet opening, means for successively feeding cards from said stack to said inlet opening, means for receiving the cards from said outlet opening, and means for delivering the cards from said card receiving means to a position below said stack of cards, and means for intermittently closing one of said sight openings.

12. An apparatus of the class described comprising a member having a surface upon which cards from a stack of cards are adapted to be moved and including an inlet opening to which the cards are successively fedfor movement over said surface and an outlet opening through which the cards pass from said surface, and spaced sight openings through which the cards ar successively viewed in their movement over said surface from the inlet opening to the outlet opening, means for moving said cards over said surface from the inlet opening to the outlet opening, means for successivel feeding cards from said stack to said inlet opening, means for receiving the cards from said outlet opening, means for delivering the cards from said card receiving means to a position below said stack of cards, said card moving means including a guiding flange provided by said member, a rotatable hub structure, blade members extending radially from said hub structure and operable within said guiding flange and having leading edge portions adapted to engage adjacent edge portions of said cards, and means for intermittently closing one of said sight openings.

13. An apparatus of the class described comprising a, structure providing a compartment in which a stack of cards is adapted to be confined, a horizontal support upon which the cards from the top of said stack are adapted to be successively moved, means for moving said cards from said stack to said horizontal support, a chute extending downwardly from said support adapted to receive the cards from said support for gravitational movement down said chute, a receiving trough adapted to receive cards from said chute at an inclination with respect to the vertical, whereby said cards will tilt by gravity, to a horizontal position upon said trough, means for moving said card from said trough to a position beneath the stack of cards in said compartment,

tion with respect to each other during the opera- I tion of said means for moving the card from said trough to the bottom of the stack of cardsin said compartment.

RICHARD W. HOOD.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 445,639 Herberg Feb. 3, 1891 1,611,926 McDonald Dec. 28, 1926 

